Sunrise Urban Hike: Crush Your Daily Steps! 🌄🚶‍♂️

🚶‍♂️ From NKC to KCMO’s River Market: Suburban & Urban Adventure Awaits on a Ten-ish Mile hike! 🌆

Walk from the NKC Sam's Club parking lot, zigzagging through the 'burbs, diving into NKC’s industrial jungle, surfing above MO waves on the Heart of America Bridge, and finally river-siding it to the market! 🚗🌉🌊🛒 Did we mention one of the best cityscape views of downtown KC, too?

As we walk, we’ll witness the importance of urban planning, as on some of the stretches, we will be walking on sidewalks while on other stretches next to roads, where a sidewalk could be but isn't, in the grass/gravel/dirt/road edge (let's call walking along roads without sidewalks "roadside") in NKC neighbourhoods— it’s like a neon sign: Sidewalks Wanted! 🏙️

We'll cross the Mighty MO via the HOA Bridge (1, 2, 3), where great views await, walk down a wide road time forgot where we hope no train is parked on the tracks or have to go the long way around to **Berkley River Front **and see the new soccer stadium and then stop @ a river viewing deck.Then pop into Chinatown Market (great cold drink selection.) Finally, our outing concludes at the vibrant River Market. 🛒

But wait! 🍽️ Afterward, linger for a delectable **Taste of Brazil lunch -**if open and not cold outside, otherwise, the sure thing is indoors at Minsky's, where the TV wall's slate of sports games awaits.

Remember, this adventure spans ten-ish miles (follow that link to see a top-down perspective & use Google Street View for an impression).

You’re in control—of how you'll get to our starting point & then back to it. THIS IS A ONE-WAY POINT-TO-POINT HIKE. YOU HAVE TO PLAN HOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET TO THE START & THEN WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO FOR RETURN TRANSPORTATION, e.g. if your vehicle is at Sam's Club where we started, how will you get back there to get it, we are not returning there as part of the outing. And note, we have NOT cleared anyone parking at Sam's Club for this, it is the rally point for the hike, not necessarily a proper place to assume you can park.

And if the weather is bad, it is super cold, or streets are meh from earlier weather (e.g. snow or ice on the ground), we we'll likely cancel. So yeah, we're rolling the dice that we catch a break on conditions, tbd!

Guidelines for staying safe and projecting group strength:

1. What to Bring: Pack your headlamp, fresh batteries, water, snacks, mini-umbrella, rain jacket, hiking sticks/staff, & pepper spray.
2. Stay Close: Maintain physical proximity. Walk closely together.
3. Dress Code: Go ahead & wear bright colours if you'd like to, e.g. bright safety color vest/outwear (e.g. fluorescent blaze orange (hunter orange) or fluorescent chartreuse (hunter safety green)
   Also, wear layers that you can remove & put in a daypack that you also bring.
4. Blinking Lights: Since we're walking roadside without sidewalks at times, consider using reflective armbands or flashing LED lights. Stay visible & stay safe! 🚶‍♂️🌟
5. Awareness: Be vigilant of your surroundings. Scan for potential threats & stay alert. If you see something, say something.
6. Confidence: Walk with purpose & avoid looking hesitant. Confidence can deter troublemakers.

Remember, safety is a collective effort, and by following these guidelines, our group will be more visible to traffic, project strength and discourage unwanted attention. 😊👍

How Do I Get to Go?

Read everything. Be prepared. Sign up.

Use LNT practices.

Sign the standard participant agreement.

Bring a personal 1st aid kit.

Be prepared with a rapid solution should you not be able to finish and need to leave the outing, e.g. if you find 10 miles is too much, have a bail out ready so it doesn't bog down the group.

The Outing officially begins & ends on the dates & at the location designated by the Sierra Club, i.e., the trailhead. The Outing does not include carpooling—at your discretion, transportation, or transit to & from the Outing; each participant is personally responsible for all risks associated with this travel. Account for travel time when planning; we just show together time. You decide how to reach the start & leave from the finish.

🤒 If you’re sick, please do not attend. 🏥